UCnetwork is emailed monthly to University of California staff, but all members of the UC community are invited to subscribe. Get UCnetwork delivered to your inbox. Read on for our March issue!
Apply to be the next staff advisor
Are you ready to make a difference for staff throughout the university? Apply to be the next staff advisor to the UC Board of Regents! Staff advisors represent staff interests systemwide by participating in conversations at the highest levels of university leadership and meeting extensively with colleagues throughout California. Applications are open through April 11.
Connect with systemwide colleagues: RSVP for the next CUCSA town hall, which will feature UC Board of Regents Vice Chair Maria Anguiano.
UC Health is making it easier to manage diabetes
UC Health is improving the health of Californians by addressing everyday barriers to care. For people with diabetes, this means taking a holistic and integrated approach to ongoing care management.
More news from UC Health: If you missed our latest grand rounds, here’s what you need to know about bird flu. Plus, a new UC-sponsored law is improving the lives of infants in California hospitals.
Contact your representatives and speak up for UC
Gov. Newsom had to make tough choices to pass a balanced budget, including a proposed $396 million reduction to UC’s base budget and the deferral of our compact funding. These reductions will jeopardize our progress, hurt students and potentially impact university operations. Here’s what you can do to help.
Wondering about federal impacts? Here’s what cuts to NIH funding mean for cancer patients and their families.
Help wildfire-affected colleagues
Would you like to help colleagues who were affected by the Los Angeles-area fires? Through March 31, you can donate accrued vacation or paid time off to eligible fire-impacted colleagues through the systemwide wildfire catastrophic leave bank.
UC Spotlight: Kudos for our work together
Our monthly UC Spotlight celebrates UC locations, teams and individual staff members who are helping to make UC a great place to work. Read this month’s Spotlight for stories and photos of staff who are making a difference. Then, learn how to share your achievements.
The unstoppable rise of Jordan Chiles
Glittering as her achievements may be, three-time Olympic medalist and UCLA junior Jordan Chiles is more than their sum. She’s making history not only in gymnastics, but emerging as a leader for a new era in women’s sports.
More inspiration from UC students: UC Santa Barbara beat out over 200 schools to claim the top spot in the 2024 California University and College Ballot Bowl.
UCPath launches new 24/7 phone self-service
With new telephone service offerings, including 24/7 assistance for many common employee and staff transactions, it’s easier than ever to connect with UCPath! The team has also launched expanded call options, smarter assistance and other customer-friendly features.
Also in benefits news: UC has released new benefits eligibility rules for rehired retirees.
The best in humanity on the silver screen
The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley has released their annual “Greater Goodies” awards, celebrating 14 documentaries and feature films from around the world that exemplify human strengths and virtues.
UC People
Vincent Medina & Louis Trevino, Ohlone cultural leaders
Vincent and Louis are helping to repair relations between the Ohlone people and UC Berkeley, while also celebrating Ohlone culture.
From President Drake
An update on the university’s financial outlook
Over the last few months, the new administration in Washington, D.C., has announced a number of executive orders and proposed policy changes, including ones that threaten funding for lifesaving research, patient care, and education support. These actions affect colleges and universities across the country. Additionally, the 2025-26 California state budget calls for a substantial cut to the University’s budget. As one of the most innovative, research-focused public institutions in the nation, these proposed changes would have a particularly profound impact on the University of California.
UC leaders and I are advocating strongly for and collaborating with state and federal elected officials on the University’s mission and priorities, alongside our higher education partners across the nation. The University’s legal team prepared for this moment and has been working diligently to protect the University and our mission through the courts. We will continue to pursue all appropriate actions and advocacy options available to us moving forward.
These efforts have allowed us to stave off some of the immediate and projected financial impacts — but not all. As we face funding reductions at both the state and federal levels, the Chancellors and I are preparing for significant financial challenges ahead. Today, I write to share several steps we are taking to protect the University and try to ensure its solid financial footing in the long term.
First, we will implement a systemwide hiring freeze to help the University manage costs and conserve funds. I have directed every UC location, including the Office of the President, to prepare financial strategies and workforce management plans that address any potential shortfalls. I have also directed all UC locations to implement cost-saving measures, such as delaying maintenance and reducing business travel where possible. Because every UC location is different, these plans will vary accordingly. But regardless of UC location, every action that impacts our University and our workforce will only be taken after serious and deliberative consideration.
I recognize this is a time of great uncertainty for many in our UC community and in higher education across the country. Throughout our history as an institution and as a nation, we have weathered struggles and found new ways to show up for the people we serve. We will address these challenges, together. I have tremendous confidence in the team that is working on these issues, and in the dedication of our students, faculty, and staff.
Thank you for your continued dedication and service to this institution. The University of California has been a beacon of new knowledge and public service for more than 150 years, and I am truly grateful for all that you do, each day, to continue that legacy.
Fiat Lux.
Michael V. Drake, M.D.
UC President
UC voices
“In engineering, things are going to fail. What matters is not how you fail but how you build up from it.” — Bryan Vu
UC Irvine senior and manager of the Rocket Project solids team
More UC news
Update: Systemwide benefits survey postponed
Highlights from CUCSA’s Feb. 19 town hall with President Drake
UC hires new Systemwide Title IX director
New regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act that will impact UC
National Academy of Engineering elects 10 University of California researchers
17 UC faculty named 2025 Sloan Research fellows
UC Womxn in Tech shares highlights from impactful conversation with Rachael Nava
Higher-ed leaders to discuss truth, trust and transformation at 2025 #SpeechMatters Conference
How research prepared Sonya Brooks to represent UC students on the Board of Regents
Celebrate Earth Month with UC Travel webinars
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